U.S. patent number 5,778,487 [Application Number 08/349,437] was granted by the patent office on 1998-07-14 for vacuum cleaning machine.
Invention is credited to Ernest R. Schuld.
United States Patent |
5,778,487 |
Schuld |
July 14, 1998 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
Vacuum cleaning machine
Abstract
A vacuum cleaner machine includes a housing having an open upper
end and a partition member therein which defines first and second
vacuum chambers, a bag holder in said housing and a dome covering
the open end of the housing. The bag holder is positioned in the
first chamber and retains a bag therein. The bag has a nozzle
inlet. The dome has a hose aperture extending therethrough and a
nozzle fitting extending therefrom and is positioned on top of the
bag holder and over the open end of the housing so that the nozzle
fitting extends through the aperture in the bag. A vacuum hose has
a hose cuff at one end which is releasably insertable into the hose
fitting. A suction unit is mounted in the second chamber and has an
inlet which communicates with the vacuum chamber.
Inventors: |
Schuld; Ernest R. (Macomb,
IL) |
Family
ID: |
23372403 |
Appl.
No.: |
08/349,437 |
Filed: |
December 5, 1994 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/352; 15/327.6;
55/378 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L
5/365 (20130101); A47L 9/242 (20130101); A47L
9/1427 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A47L
5/22 (20060101); A47L 5/36 (20060101); A47L
9/14 (20060101); A47L 9/24 (20060101); A47L
005/36 () |
Field of
Search: |
;15/347,327.1,327.6,327.7,352 ;55/374,376,378 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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204554 |
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Nov 1956 |
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AU |
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88208 |
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Oct 1956 |
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NO |
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179295 |
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May 1962 |
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SE |
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Primary Examiner: Moore; Chris K.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Trexler, Bushnell, Giangiorgi &
Blackstone, Ltd.
Claims
The invention is claimed as follows:
1. A vacuum cleaner machine comprising: a housing having an open
end, at least a first vacuum chamber and a second chamber, a bag
holder removably positioned in said first vacuum chamber for
removably retaining a bag having an inlet, a dome positioned over
said open end of said housing and said bag holder, a nozzle fitting
connected to and extending from said dome for communicating with
said inlet in said bag, a vacuum hose having a hose cuff at one end
thereof releasably insertable into said nozzle fitting, a suction
unit mounted in said second chamber and having an inlet
communicating with said vacuum chamber.
2. A vacuum cleaner machine of claim 1, said housing includes a
first partition member and a second partition member, and a second
vacuum chamber between said first and second partition members.
3. A vacuum cleaner machine of claim 2 wherein said bag holder is
removable from said housing for inserting and removing said
bag.
4. A vacuum cleaner machine of claim 2, wherein said machine
includes a filter positioned on top of said first partition for
filtering any dust or ash that may escape from said bag.
5. A vacuum cleaner machine of claim 1, wherein said bag includes a
card attached thereto, a flexible sheet secured to said card for
providing a seal around said nozzle fitting, said card and said
sheet having apertures therethrough for releasably receiving said
nozzle fitting, said through aperture of said flexible sheet having
a circumference less than the circumference of the through aperture
of said card for releasably and sealably receiving said nozzle
fitting.
6. A vacuum cleaner machine of claim 5 wherein said bag holder
includes an arched card slot wherein a pair of substantially
parallel grooves define said card slot for releasably receiving and
arching said card of said bag.
7. A vacuum cleaner machine of claim wherein said bag holder
includes a raised cross member between said parallel grooves which
can be easily grasped by the user's fingers.
8. A vacuum cleaner machine of claim 1, wherein said bag holder
includes a first wall a second wall having an arched card slot, and
a connecting wall between said first and second walls.
9. A vacuum cleaner machine of claim 8, wherein said hose cuff
includes a reduced end portion for releasably locking said hose
cuff with said nozzle fitting for securing said vacuum hose when
the vacuum cleaner machine is in use.
10. A vacuum cleaner machine of claim 9, wherein said bag includes
a card attached thereto, a flexible sheet secured to said card for
providing a seal around said nozzle fitting, said card and said
sheet having apertures therethrough for releasably receiving said
nozzle fitting, said vacuum cleaner machine includes a cap for
releasably closing said apertures in said flexible sheet and said
card when the vacuum cleaner machine is not in use.
11. A vacuum cleaner machine of claim 1 wherein said hose cuff
includes a removable cap releasably attached thereto.
12. A vacuum cleaner machine comprising; a cylindrical housing
having an open end, an opposite end, at least one perforated
partition between a first vacuum chamber and a second chamber, a
flexible vacuum hose, a removable bag holder positioned in said
first vacuum chamber, a dust bag releasably connected to said bag
holder, said dust bag having a card secured thereto and having an
aperture therethrough, and a dome lid positioned over said bag
holder and over said open end of said housing, said dome lid having
an inlet aperture therethrough with a cylindrical nozzle fitting
extending therefrom, said cylindrical nozzle fitting aligning and
communicating with said aperture in said card, said vacuum hose
having a hose cuff at one end thereof releasably inserted into said
nozzle fitting, and a suction unit mounted in said second chamber
and having an inlet communicating with said first vacuum chamber
and an outlet communicating with said second chamber.
13. A vacuum cleaner machine of claim 12 wherein said housing
includes a second partition, and a second vacuum chamber between
said first and second partitions.
14. A vacuum cleaner machine of claim 12, wherein said hose cuff
includes a reduced end portion therefrom for releasably locking
said hose cuff to said nozzle fitting for securing said hose cuff
when said vacuum cleaner is in use.
15. A vacuum cleaner machine of claim 12, wherein said bag card
includes a flexible sheet secured thereto so that said sheet
stretches and seals around said nozzle fitting, said card and said
sheet having apertures therethrough for releasably receiving said
nozzle fitting of said dome lid, said through aperture of said
flexible sheet having a circumference less than the circumference
of the through aperture of said card for releasably receiving said
nozzle fitting.
16. A vacuum cleaner machine of claim 15, wherein said vacuum
cleaner machine includes a cap for releasably closing said aperture
in said flexible sheet and card once the machine is not in use.
17. A vacuum cleaner machine of claim 12, wherein said bag holder
includes an arched card slot wherein parallel grooves define said
card slot for releasably receiving said card of said bag.
18. A vacuum cleaner machine of claim 17 wherein said bag holder
includes a raised cross member between said grooves which can be
easily grasped by the user's fingers.
19. A vacuum cleaner machine of claim 17, wherein said card
includes a rounded end portion for insertion into said grooves of
said card slot in said bag.
20. A vacuum cleaner machine of claim 12, wherein said bag holder
includes a first wall, a second wall having an arched card slot,
and a connecting wall between the first and second walls, said
first wall including at least one rib for separating said bag
holder from said first partition to create a clearance so air can
be sucked through when the vacuum cleaner machine is in use.
21. A vacuum cleaner machine of claim 1, further including a
decorative lid for covering at least the nozzle fitting of said
vacuum cleaner machine when said vacuum cleaner machine is not in
use.
22. A vacuum cleaner machine of claim 1, wherein edges of said bag
holder closely conform to interior surfaces of said first vacuum
chamber so as to avoid a sharp step which might cause tearing of
the bag.
23. A vacuum cleaner machine as defined in claim 1, wherein said
bag holder comprises a first wall for supporting one end of said
bag, said bag having an opposite end including an apertured bag
card for communication with said vacuum hose, said bag holder
further comprising a second wall opposite said first wall and a
side wall connecting said first and second walls, said bag holder
having an opening therein for the insertion and removal of said bag
with respect to said bag holder, and said second wall including
means defining a slot for removably receiving said apertured bag
card for operative connection with said vacuum hose.
24. A vacuum cleaner machine of claim 23, wherein said means
defining said slot is arched for retaining and arching said bag
card for facilitating connection with a vacuum hose.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a novel cleaning apparatus and
more particularly to improvements to a novel vacuum cleaner.
Prior U.S. Pat. No. 4,739,535 relates to a vacuum cleaning machine
for fireplaces and the like. The vacuum cleaner covered by the
aforementioned patent includes a decorative canister or housing
member having a vacuum chamber containing a fire-retardant dust
bag, a blower and an electric motor unit and a storage chamber
having reels for an electric cord and flexible vacuum hose.
The prior art vacuum cleaner is suitable for use in removing dust
and ash from the fireplace without stirring up the ash in a manner
to cause it to disperse out into the room surrounding the
fireplace.
However, the prior art vacuum cleaner has an inlet nozzle on one
side of the cleaner. The side location of the inlet nozzle reduces
the useable vac and bag capacity. Further, the inlet nozzle
protrudes into the vacuum chamber interfering with the removal of
the filter bag filled with ashes. Once the filter bag has become
full, it is somewhat difficult to remove the bag from the cleaner
without dispersing ash into the room.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved
novel vacuum cleaner suitable for use in cleaning fireplaces, which
has an inlet nozzle located at the top of the housing member of the
vacuum cleaner.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a novel
vacuum cleaner which has means to improve the capacity of the bag
and improve the ease of installing and removing the filter bag.
A more specific object of the present invention is to provide a
novel vacuum cleaner having a container in which is located an
electric motor driven blower and a dust and ash collecting bag,
which cleaner also includes a flexible hose removably connected to
an inlet in the top of a filter and a removable bag holder
releasably connected to the filter bag which can be readily lifted
out of the container and carried to the garbage.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Further, objects and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent from the following description and accompanying
drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is a side elevational view showing a novel vacuum cleaner
incorporating the features of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial sectional view along line 2--2 in
FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a plan view of an inner cover included in the novel
vacuum cleaner of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4--4 in FIG. 3 and
further showing a hose before it is inserted in inlet means in the
inner cover or closure;
FIG. 5 is an enlarged front elevational view of a bag holder
according to the present invention;
FIG. 6 is an enlarged side elevational view of the bag holder;
FIG. 7 is a bottom view, on a reduced scale, of the bag holder;
FIG. 8 is an enlarged top plan view of the bag holder with an
assembled dust bag;
FIG. 9 is an enlarged exploded fragmentary view of a dust bag and
the bag holder;
FIG. 10 is an exploded fragmentary view of a hose cuff and mating
locking entry connection of the inner dome cover;
FIG. 11 is an exploded fragmentary view of a filter bag plug and
the filter bag entry card; and,
FIG. 12 is an exploded fragmentary view of an alternative
embodiment hose cuff, fitting cap and mating tapered locking entry
connection of the inner dome cover.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT
Referring now more specifically to the drawings wherein like parts
are designated by the same numerals throughout the various figures,
a vacuum cleaner 10 incorporating features of the present invention
is shown best in FIGS. 1 and 2. The cleaner 10 comprises a
cylindrical housing or container member 12 having a closed bottom
wall 14 and an open upper mouth 15 defined by rim 16.
Feet 18 are secured at spaced intervals around the periphery of the
bottom wall 14.
A decorative cover or lid 20 is provided for closing the mouth 15
of the housing 12 when the vacuum cleaner is not in use. The lid 20
includes a depending peripheral flange portion 22 which extends
around the rim 16 of the housing 12. The flange 22 has an annular
shoulder 24 for effectively engaging and sealing the rim 16. The
cover includes a decorative knob 26. A handle 28 is secured to the
housing by pivot elements 29. When the vacuum cleaner is in use,
the lid 20 is removed.
Although the vacuum cleaner housing is shown in cylindrical form,
it is understood that the invention can be used in any type of
vacuum cleaner.
As shown in FIG. 2, a first perforated partition or divider wall 30
rests on a dished or coned second solid partition 31. As will be
described in detail below, the perforated partition 30 supports a
secondary filter 32. The first or upper partition 30 and second or
lower partition 31 divide the housing into a first or upper vacuum
chamber 34 and a second or lower chamber 36. A suction unit 35 is
mounted within the lower chamber 36. The suction unit includes an
electrical motor of known construction operatively connected to a
blower also of known construction. The blower has an inlet located
at the upper end thereof. The suction unit and blower are described
in detail in prior U.S. Pat. No. 4,739,535. The lower panel 31 is
sealed to the lower chamber 36 housing by fasteners or adhesive or
other suitable means, and is secured in place within the lower
chamber 36 by gasket 51 to complete the vacuum chamber area. The
air is drawn through the primary filter bag (discussed below) and
the secondary filter 32 on operation through the motor into lower
vacuum chamber 36. Also as disclosed in the prior patent, a reel
means is provided in lower chamber 36 to receive and retain a
vacuum hose 37 when the hose 37 is not in use. The hose 37 includes
a hose cuff 38 at one end. As will be discussed below, in one
embodiment of the invention the hose cuff 38 has a reduced
cylindrical portion 39. The reduced portion 39 has a locking flange
41. An opposite end of the hose 37 is adapted to receive a nozzle
43 as described in the prior patent.
Further, an opening 40 is formed in one side of the housing 12
through which the hose 37 may be inserted and retracted. The
opening 40 also provides an exhaust port for the air which is
delivered to the lower chamber 36.
The cleaner 10 is provided with a primary dust and ash collection
bag 42 positioned in the vacuum chamber 34 as shown best in FIGS.
2, 8 and 9. The bag 42 is constructed of known paper or other
filtering material which is adapted to be impervious to dust and
the like. The bag 42 is coated or impregnated with a fire retardant
substance as described in prior U.S. Pat. No. 4,739,535.
As set forth above, a secondary filter 32 rests on the perforated
panel 30. The secondary filter 32 prevents ash or dust from
entering the motor in the event the primary bag 42 ruptures. The
secondary filter 32 is also fire retardant and is held in place by
a centering pin 33 which compliments a preformed aperture 57 in
secondary filter 32.
The paper of other filtering material of the bag 42 is connected or
secured by adhesive or other suitable means to a cardboard or
plastic member or card 46 as shown best in FIGS. 8, 9 and 11. The
card 46 has an aperture 48 therethrough and is adapted to receive
the inner cover nozzle fitting 76, as will be discussed below. As
shown in this embodiment, one end 49 of the card 46 is curved or
rounded. A thin backing or sheet 50 is secured to the bottom of the
card 46 as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. The sheet 50 is preferably made
of a rubber material or similar flexible or resilient material. The
rubber sheet 50 also includes an aperture 52 therethrough which is
aligned with the aperture 48 in the card 46. The circumference of
the aperture 52 in the rubber sheet 50 is less than the
circumference of the aperture 48 in the card 46 which forms a
rubber seal 53, which will be discussed in detail below.
As shown best in FIGS. 2, 5, 6 and 7, the vacuum cleaner is also
provided with a bag holder 54 for releasably retaining filter bag
42. The bag holder 54 may be a molded plastic member having a
curved or arched second top wall 56, a rounded connecting side wall
58 and a first bottom wall 60. The top wall 56 and rounded side
wall 58 are constructed so that the dimensions are similar to but
less than the dimensions of the upper chamber 34 so that the holder
54 fits fairly closely against the interior surfaces of the vacuum
chamber 34. The dimensions of the bottom wall 60 are slightly less
than the dimensions of the partition 30. The bottom wall 60
includes a plurality of raised ribs 62 depending therefrom. As
shown in FIG. 2, the bag holder 54 is disposed in the upper chamber
and sits on top of the secondary divider 30 and filter 32. The ribs
62 provide a space between the bag holder 54 and the divider 30 to
provide a clearance so air can be sucked through the divider 30
when the vacuum 10 is in use. The ribs 62 also serve to secure the
secondary filter 32 to first partition 30. Free peripheral edges 59
of the top wall 56 and side wall 58 are preferably tapered or
rounded so that there is no sharp edge or step between the bag
holder and the interior walls of the vacuum chamber which might
cause tearing of the bag 42.
The top wall 56 of the bag holder 54 includes an arched card slot
64 for releasably receiving the card 46 of the bag 42. The card
slot 64 has two substantially parallel grooves 66 and 68 for
receiving the card 46 of the bag 42. Further, the card slot has a
raised cross member 67 between the parallel grooves 66 and 68. The
raised cross member 67 can be easily grasped by the user's fingers.
As indicated above, the card 46 of the bag 42 has a curved end.
This curved end makes the insertion of the card 46 into the slot 64
easier.
The vacuum cleaner is also provided with an inner dome or vacuum
lid or closure 70 which is positioned over the bag holder 54 and
covers the mouth of the housing 12. In the present embodiment, as
shown best in FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 10, the dome lid 70 is made of a
preferably clear material, such as glass or acrylic, so the user
can see the filter bag 42 when the cleaner 10 is in use. However,
it is understood that dome lid 70 can be made out of a variety of
suitable materials. As shown best in FIGS. 2 and 10, the dome lid
70 includes a peripheral flange 71 which extends around the rim 16
of the housing 12 to effectively seal the upper chamber 34 when the
vacuum cleaner is in use. When the vacuum cleaner is not in use,
the decorative lid 20 covers the dome lid 70 as shown in FIG.
2.
The dome or closure 70 is constructed so that it has a raised
portion 72 which corresponds to the curved top wall 56 of the bag
holder 54. The raised portion 72 of the dome 70 includes a nozzle
inlet 74 which extends therethrough and a cylindrical nozzle
fitting 76 extending from the bottom thereof. The nozzle fitting 76
is positioned so that it is releasably insertable through the card
slot 64 of bag holder 54 and into the seal 53 of the card 46.
The arched card slot 64 causes the card to assume an arched shape
which makes the card 46 stiffer so that when the nozzle 76 is
inserted through the seal 53 in the card 46, as will be discussed
below, the card 46 will not collapse, permitting a tighter seal
between the nozzle 76 and the card 46.
As shown in FIGS. 10 and 12, when the cleaner 10 is in use, the
hose cuff 38 of the hose 37 is releasably inserted into the nozzle
inlet 74 of the inner cover. As shown best in FIG. 10, in one
embodiment of this invention, the hose cuff 38 includes a reduced
cylindrical portion 39 at one end thereof. The reduced portion 39
has a locking flange 41 which extends outwardly therefrom and is
cooperable with a flange 73 on the raised portion of inner dome lid
70 to provide a quick release connection when the hose cuff 38 is
inserted. The hose cuff 38 can be releasably locked in place by
turning the hose cuff after insertion.
In the second embodiment of this invention, as shown in FIG. 12,
reduced cylindrical portion 39 of hose cuff 38 includes a tapered
end 80. Further, in the second embodiment, the nozzle fitting 76 is
internally tapered for frictionally releasably receiving the
tapered end 80 of the hose cuff 38.
As shown in FIG. 12, the hose cuff 38 can also include a retaining
ring 82 around reduced portion 39 and a removable cap member 83.
The removable cap member 83 includes a cap 84 and a flexible
securing member 85 which can be easily snapped over the retaining
ring 82 and around reduced portion 39 and a flexible arm 86 for
securing said cap 84 to said securing member 85. When not in use
the cap 84 can be releasably secured to the end of the nozzle
fitting 76 to prevent ash or dust from falling out. Although the
removable cap member 83 is only shown in the second embodiment of
FIG. 12, it is understood that it can also be used in connection
with the first embodiment of FIG. 10.
When the user has completed vacuuming the fireplace, the cleaner is
turned off and the hose cuff is removed. The user can look through
the clear dome lid or closure 70 to determine if the bag 42 is
full. If the bag 42 is full, the user can place a plastic cap 78 in
the bag card opening and through the rubber seal 53. As shown in
FIG. 11, the plastic cap extends through the bag inlet and rubber
seal 53. The bag holder and bag can then be removed from the
cleaner 10 and can be easily carried to the garbage refuge so that
the bag can be disposed of without spilling ash or dust. As
indicated above, the user can easily grasp cross member 67 when
removing and carrying the bag holder.
While a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been
shown and described herein, many structural details may be changed
without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
It is to be understood that the bag holder 54 as well as other
features of the illustrated embodiments may be incorporated in
various styles and structure of vacuum cleaners.
* * * * *